The project started with the consideration of the large amount of abandoned housing areas and its impact on the different neighbourhoods around Oldham. Many houses in different areas are closed and all the windows are boarded up with galvanised steel sheets. These sheets together with the typical red bricks are recurring elements all over the neighbourhoods of Oldham, they somehow unify the whole area.

The objective for the project was to reconnect the neighbourhoods in the area by using those typical elements and turn the negative stigma into a positive momentum.

osa created a facade of 11,540 specifically branded magnets which equals the inhabitants of the borough. These will be handed out to each inhabitant during the festival and after the installation.

Magnetic attraction or repulsion is a fundamental natural phenomenon. It provides the ultimate polarity of the universe being either positive or negative. The magnets could be used to stick a message, drawing or note etc. onto the perforated metal sheets covering the windows of the abandoned houses in the area. This simple and harmless element is used to connect all neighbourhoods, visually as well as intellectually creating an organic and fluid community messageboard.

During the installation process, pupils from the neighbourhood have taken part in various workshops helping to create this major public artwork.